Chromebook 11 pulled from store shelves due to faulty chargers

If you’ve been thinking about picking up HP’s Chromebook 11, today isn’t the day to do it. Right now getting your hands on the Chromebook 11 is pretty much impossible, whether its through Google Play or even retailers like Best Buy.

Advertisement

No the problem isn’t some short of wild stock shortage, HP and Google have actually halted sales of the device temporarily, due to a number of reports that the laptop’s charger is overheating during use.

Here’s the official statement, as found on Google’s Chrome blog:

Google and HP are pausing sales of the HP Chromebook 11 after receiving a small number of user reports that some chargers included with the device have been damaged due to overheating during use. We are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to identify the appropriate corrective action, and will provide additional information and instructions as soon as we can.

Now it’s important to note that there is nothing wrong with the Chromebook 11’s hardware, it’s just the charger.

The good news is that HP’s Chromebook uses a standard micro USB charger, and Google notes that any “Underwriters Laboratories-listed micro USB charger” should still work on the device. In other words, you don’t need to stop using your laptop, just don’t utilize the official charger. Where will you find a complaint USB charger? Basically all tablet and smartphone chargers should fit the bill.

No word on how long the Chromebook 11 will be gone from store shelves, but with holiday shopping season starting up, the timing is less-than-great for HP and Google.